Evo-Stik Southern Premier

Weymouth 3

Cirencester Town 1

ZACK KOTWICA’S dismissal for two yellow cards – both for diving – changed the course of this contest and gave Weymouth some hope of achieving the final play-off place in the Southern Premier division.

Weymouth opened the scoring in the 28th minute when Chris Shephard converted a harshly-awarded penalty after players from both sides tried to win a hopeful punt into the box that bounced higher than expected.

Despite this setback Cirencester ‘gave as good as they got’ until the interval but The Terras increased their lead three minutes into the second half when Mark Molesley scored via a rebound through several defenders after a Shephard shot had come back off the post.

In the 56th minute Cirencester pulled a goal back when Charlie Griffin headed Aidan Bennett’s precise cross from the right inside the near post.

It was top scorer Griffin’s 18th league goal of another prolific season.

But any hope of a full Ciren revival was dented when Kotwica was sent off soon afterwards for his second yellow.

The extra man enabled Weymouth to enjoy more possession but Cirencester dug in and worked hard to keep them at bay while counter attacking whenever possible.

Weymouth completed the scoring in the 87th minute when Ben Thomson had his initial effort blocked at close range and swung his left foot at the rebound to see it loop over a stranded Josh Langley and drop inside the net.

Weymouth are now one place and three points behind Leamington who occupy the final play-off slot with one game remaining.

Nothing less than three points for them at Chesham on Saturday will do but they are also reliant on Nat Jarvis and Ian Herring’s Hungerford winning at Leamington.